Expansion joint tool



Jan; 5, 1932. w. QUINN 1,839,703

Filed July 11, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor f/zozzzaa WflaZ/m,

Attorney Jan. 5, 1932. w, QLHNN 1,839,703

Inventor Z/Mifldi W 62072721,

- Attorney Patented Jan. 5, 1932 tartan STATES THOMAS W. QUINN, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN EXPANSION Application filed July 11,

This invention relates to a tool for the laying of cement expansion joints, and more particularly to a tool of this character for holding and supporting the expansion strip which is used therewith.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the above-mentioned character which may be expeditiously mounted upon the expansion strip and inserted in the joint therewith, which will rigidly support and protect said strip when mounted thereon, which will permit concrete to contact with the side walls of said strip while the appliance is mounted thereon, and which may be readily removed at the will of an operator. p

Other objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the aforementioned character which will be strong, durable, simple in construction, eflicient and which may be manufactured at a low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference designate throughout the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an expansion strip installing tool constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showinga joint having inserted therein an expansion strip from which this device has been removed.

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the expansion strip expanded.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse section through the concrete joint showing the expansion strut and tool disposed in the con crete.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an area of concrete or cement illustrating a joint the construction of which is accomplished by the use of this device.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, and taken on a vertical plane through the slot in the tool.

Figure 7 is a rear view in perspective of a device in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

corresponding parts JOINT TOOL 1929. ,Serial No. 377,483.

reference character 1 designates an elongated polygonal bar, preferably of metal, and which bar is outwardly bowed'as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. Secured to therear vertical face of the rod 1, as by welding, is a fiat relatively thin metal plate 2 of a longitudinal curvature similar to that of the rod 1. The plate 2 is provided at its lower edge, with notches or slots 3 which extend upwardly thereinto and terminate at their upper ends in inverted V-shaped portions at a pointremote from the upper edgeof said plate.- 7

The forward vertical wallof the rod 1 is provided with a relatively thin flat plate 4, 7 preferably of metal, and of a longitudinal curvature'corresponding to said rod 1. The plate 4:" is of considerably less length than the plate 2 and depends downwardly from the rod 1 in opposed spaced relation to the plate '2' and terminates in the horizontal plane of the apices of the slots 3. The upper edges of the plates 2 and 4 are flush with the upper face of the rod 1. i i

5 and 6 represent adjacent areas of concrete between which an expansion joint is to be constructed. =The numeral 7 designates an expansion'strip of conventional form which is positioned between the concrete sections 5 and 6/ i Y The device is used as follows. The expan- 'sion strip 7 is insertedin the inverted chan- -nel or pocket constituted by the'rod land plates 2 and 1 in which position the lower 7 edge'of said strip is flush with the lower end of the plate 2. It may be here added that the plate 2 is constructed of a width to permit that portion thereof which is bent below the rod 1 to correspond with the width of the expansion strip upon which the device is to be used. After positioning the device in the tool the said strip and tool are placed in the desired position and the concrete poured therearound. The concrete 6 on the forward side of the joint flows into contact with the forward side of the strip 7 below the plate 4, while the concrete 5 rearwardly of the joint, enters the slot 3 and engages the rear side of the expansion strip for retaining the same in place. 1100 The expansion strip 7 is of a width less than that of the thickness of the concrete in which it is being used and is installed therein in such manner that the upper end thereof is below the upper face of the concrete for a distance corresponding to the aforementioned differences in width. The rod 1 is of a width corresponding to the thickness of the strip 7 and of a height corresponding 10 to the difference in the width of the strip 7 and the concrete, as most clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and l of the drawings.

It is to be understood that the longitudinal configuration of the device may be varied, that is to say, if the surface in which the expansion joint is to be placed is to have a flat upper surface, then, of course, the longitudinal configuration of the rod 1 and plates 2 and 4 would be perfectly straight, as will be obvious. V 1

It is thought that the many advantages of an expansion joint installing tool constructed in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, and, although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it isto be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within" the scope of the invention as claimed. What is claimed'is: i V

' An expansion joint tool comprising an elongated bar substantially rectangular in cross section, flatplates welded on the oppo site sides of said bar having'the upper edges 35 thereof flush with the upper face of the bar, said plates depending from the bar, one of the plates being of less width than the other, the wider of said plates being provided with longitudinally spaced slots extending from the lower edge thereof and terminating at a point in the plane of the'lower edge of the narrow plate, said bar and plates adapted to be placed in the concrete flush with the upper surface thereof and said bar and plates constituting a pocket for the reception of an ex tension joint strip that will be disposed below the surface of the concrete when the tool is removed. Y v In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS W. QUINN. 

